Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: Chapter 5 I’ve Become a Taoist! (2/2)
“Where’s Old Zhang?”
Lin Chuan asked casually.
“He played cards all night yesterday, and he’s probably still at it,” Zhang said with a sneer, “You, a novelist, why are you always prying into other people’s privacy?”
“Cough cough, girls should watch less explicit stuff!”
Lin Chuan burst into laughter and then took off.
He was a long-term tenant in this neighborhood and frequented the local store for daily necessities, so he was acquainted with Old Zhang and Zhang.
As for the landlord, Old Zhang, his only job was collecting rent, and his hobby was playing cards and mahjong—often till midnight, even all night.
Sometimes when he lost too much, he’d even raise the utilities fees.
Therefore, Lin Chuan had no qualms about tricking Zhang out of the two decks of playing cards and the dice.
Lin Chuan was even considering, should he challenge Old Zhang to a couple of games and win back his rent?
No!
He’d also have to let him owe a few years’ rent.
Hahaha…
Lin Chuan returned to his rented place, a one-bedroom, one-living room apartment.
The rain last night had washed away the oppressive and heavy air.
Now, the morning sun, unobstructed, barged into his room aggressively, almost filling up the entire cramped space.
Lin Chuan took a deep breath and took out his props.
First to try rolling the dice.
He found the dice cup, put three dice in it, and started shaking.
The system might have rewarded the skill, but it was just theory; he had to experiment to find out if it was real “Cheating Techniques.”
The dice cup, the crisp sound reverberating inside the cup.
Clack!
The dice cup came to rest.
“Triple sixes, open!”
He opened the dice cup—three sixes!
A real triple!
Let’s go again!
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
With continuous practice, Lin Chuan’s hand shaking the dice cup started blurring in the sunlight.
Every time, three sixes, triple!
“I truly am a Cheating Sect genius!”
Lin Chuan showed off his eight shiny teeth in the sunlight.
Strike while the iron’s hot. If dice Cheating Techniques were no problem, it was time to test the card Cheating Techniques.
Lin Chuan immediately took out the playing cards.
The hand speed honed over twenty-four years of singledom was indeed fast.
The brand-new playing cards, in Lin Chuan’s hands, were as he wished; he had any card he wanted.
This level of skill was at least that of a Cheating Sect’s Righteous General with decades of experience!
“I’ve made it, taoist master here!”
“From now on, I’m the king of the gambling table!”
“Hahaha!”
Lin Chuan got slightly carried away, his laughter filling the small apartment.
At this moment.
The neighborhood suddenly erupted with a cacophony of noise.
As a writer used to failure but professional in spirit, Lin Chuan instinctively walked to the window and looked down to capture material from real life.
On the ground, several police cars were parked haphazardly.
A group of people, escorted by officers in blue uniforms, formed a line and got onto the police cars, while onlookers gathered around curiously.
“What’s happened?”
Lin Chuan muttered curiously.
Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure in the crowd.
Landlord Old Zhang!
His daughter, Zhang, was wiping away tears ceaselessly nearby.
Yikes!
Lin Chuan inhaled sharply, immediately realizing what was happening.
Landlord Old Zhang and the others had been caught for hosting a gambling gathering.
Lin Chuan looked at the dice and playing cards in his hands; it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his heart, chilling him to the core.
Gamble?
That’s something you can’t afford to get involved with!
Once you descend into the gambling world, life just gets more and more difficult.
Lin Chuan pursed his lips.
After much contemplation, he put away the playing cards and the dice.
“Forget it, let’s see if anyone likes ‘Swindler’s Life’?” Lin Chuan mumbled to himself.
Gambling is never the right path.
Writing is the ultimate destination!